Interesting sign, and I'm not entirely sure that it is accurate but it would be an arduous amount of work to determine if the statement is true. This establishment is not AZA-accredited anymore and yet I may still visit it this summer if I add on 6 days in Arizona on my "2011 California Adventure" itinerary. One day of driving and then Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium and SeaLife Aquarium.
I think it probably is true, because overall diversity is declining in American zoos (due to necessity of managing cooperative breeding programs). They do have a very impressive collection including some antelope and birds you rarely see. Plus they are one of a limited number of true zoo and aquarium combinations.
The exhibits are nothing special (and a few bird cages are downright awful), but the animal collection is impressive and for that reason alone it would be worthwhile for a zoo fanatic like you. If you do add on Arizona, be sure to let me know as early as possible what day you will be visiting Reid Park Zoo so I can see if I can get off work and perhaps arrange something special for you with zoo staff. (One of the distinct advantages of volunteering at a small zoo - everyone knows me, even the director and curator). If it works out, try to visit Arizona Sonora Desert Museum on a Saturday for their night hours. The obvious driving plan would be to go from San Diego out I-8 to Tucson then up to Phoenix and from there out I-10 to The Living Desert. (Or the reverse, Living Desert to Phoenix, then to Tucson then to San Diego).
@AD: Visiting any of the American zoos that offer night-time viewing will be highly unlikely (we'll go in the day instead) as my wife and I have 2 young kids and while our boy is less than 2 months old our daughter is closer to 2 and she frequently goes to bed at around 6:30 in the evening. Your driving instructions are exactly what I've already planned and the latest itinerary is posted below. If we definitely include Arizona on our trip as well as the original California attractions then we'll be at Reid Park Zoo on Monday, August 1st.
Itinerary: July 13th – August 10th
DAY 1: Drive south – 5 hours
DAY 2: Drive south – 5 hours
DAY 3: Drive south – 5 hours
DAY 4: California Academy of Sciences (Steinhart Aquarium)
DAY 5: Aquarium of the Bay + drive 30 minutes + CuriOdyssey
DAY 6: Oakland Zoo + drive 1 hour
DAY 7: Happy Hollow Park & Zoo + drive 3 hours
DAY 8: Charles Paddock Zoo + drive 2 hours
DAY 9: Santa Barbara Zoo + drive 2 hours
DAY 10: Aquarium of the Pacific + drive 20 minutes + Cabrillo Marine Aquarium + drive 30 minutes
DAY 11: Santa Ana Zoo + drive 1.5 hours
DAY 12: Birch Aquarium
DAY 13: San Diego SeaWorld (Part I)
DAY 14: San Diego SeaWorld (Part II)
DAY 15: San Diego Zoo (Part I)
DAY 16: San Diego Zoo (Part II) + drive 45 minutes
DAY 17: San Diego Zoo Safari Park
DAY 18: Drive 6 hours
DAY 19: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
DAY 20: Reid Park Zoo + drive 2 hours
DAY 21: Phoenix Zoo
DAY 22: Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
DAY 23: Sea Life Aquarium + drive 3.5 hours
DAY 24: Joshua Tree National Park + drive 1 hour
DAY 25: The Living Desert Zoo + drive north 5.5 hours
DAY 26: Fresno Chaffee Zoo + drive north 3 hours
DAY 27: Sacramento Zoo + drive north 4 hours
DAY 28: Drive north – 5 hours
DAY 29: Drive north – 5 hours
Zoo/Aquarium Attractions:
1- Steinhart Aquarium (California Academy of Sciences)
2- Aquarium of the Bay
3- CuriOdyssey
4- Oakland Zoo
5- Happy Hollow Park & Zoo
6- Charles Paddock Zoo
7- Santa Barbara Zoo
8- Aquarium of the Pacific
9- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
10- Santa Ana Zoo
11- Birch Aquarium
12- San Diego SeaWorld (two days)
13- San Diego Zoo (two days)
14- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
16- Reid Park Zoo
17- Phoenix Zoo
18- Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium
19- Sea Life Aquarium
20- The Living Desert Zoo
21- Fresno Chaffee Zoo
22- Sacramento Zoo
Ok, let me know if it becomes definite. My normal day off work (and volunteering at the zoo) is Tuesday, but I should be able to switch with someone at work and get Monday off pretty easily.
Both Reid Park Zoo and Phoenix Zoo have kids splash areas, so you may want to bring your two year old in a swim suit with a towel. (And obviously suncreen and hats for the entire family are virtually required for a summer Arizona visit.).
